The “Firehawks” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 85 gathered in Nineteen Twenties-themed apparel to have a good time the vacations on the Admiral Baker Golf Course on Naval Base Coronado, Dec. 3.
For almost all of “Firehawks,” this vacation get together was in contrast to any they’d seen because it was the primary time they celebrated collectively with out feeling the absence of “Firehawks” on deployment.
HSC-85’s most up-to-date detachment returned from a six-month deployment out of Kadena, Japan, Sep. 29. The homecoming marked solely the second time all “Firehawks” have been stateside since their first deployment in 2013, with solely a small break in 2018 to transition from the HH-60H to the MH-60S.
Through the deployment, the detachment flew 161 sorties and 509 flight hours, primarily in help of particular operations forces (SOF). HSC-85, a Navy Reserve squadron, has operated because the Navy’s solely SOF-dedicated squadron because the decommissioning of the HSC-84 “Purple Wolves” in 2015.
“We participated in [Combat Search and Rescue Exercise (CSARTE) 2022] in Osan, Republic of Korea, in late March to early April,” mentioned Lt. Cmdr. Mark Trask, who served because the detachment’s assistant officer in cost (AOIC) for the early months of the deployment. “It’s an train run by the U.S. Air Pressure twenty fifth Fighter Squadron to work in U.S. Air Pressure, Navy, Army, and Korean aviation property to construct an general CSAR train for the peninsula of Korea.”
“In Might, we had been requested to help a presidential motion when President Biden visited Korea,” Trask continued. “We got 72-hour discover to maneuver three helicopters and our upkeep personnel from Kadena to work out of Seoul Air Base.”
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Web page, who turned over with Trask as AOIC for the deployment’s latter half, defined that the squadron’s distinctive potential to maneuver with minimal logistics help allowed the detachment to take part in all kinds of workouts and coaching evolutions.
“There aren’t actually any fleet squadrons snug or practiced in placing the whole lot on the again of a C-17 or coping with placing issues on C-130s, then going and flying,” mentioned Web page. “Within the span of seven months, we did two actions to Korea, one to Atsugi, Japan, and finally, our redeployment house.”
“Definitely, there have been plenty of complications with doing so many actions,” mentioned Trask, “however I feel it solely added to our Sailors’ motivation as a result of we had been invited to help the workouts and occasions we did due to the popularity of our caliber. When the motion is over, and also you acknowledge and talk what the group completed, there’s an enormous sense of satisfaction.”
The satisfaction of the “Firehawks” not solely comes from their distinctive mission and functionality, but additionally from their sturdy sense of heritage.
“The genesis of this unit begins with HAL-3 Seawolves, established April 1, 1967,” mentioned Chief Naval Aircrewman Helicopter Keith Holt. “They had been the Navy’s first devoted SOF help squadron in Vietnam. My first senior chief right here was educated by the blokes of HAL-3. We’ve such a powerful heritage right here, and he handed it all the way down to me, and I go it all the way down to my guys. We welcome the ‘Seawolves’ right here. We’ve ‘Seawolf’ memorabilia. When the ‘Seawolves’ do reunions, they do it right here.”
The “Firehawks” have taken a number of alternatives to honor their heritage and connection to the “Seawolves.”
In early October, HSC-85 escorted HAL-3 veterans for “Honor Flight.” “3 ‘Firehawks’ accompanied the ‘Seawolves,’” mentioned Holt. “They met them on the terminal, went to Washington D.C. and visited Arlington Nationwide Cemetery with them.”
As HAL-3 by no means acquired their welcome house after being disestablished whereas nonetheless in Vietnam, HSC-85 held a welcome house celebration for them within the HSC-85 hangar on Naval Base Coronado in 2020 with as many “Seawolves” as had been capable of attend. The hangar remains to be house to the ceremony’s “welcome house” signal immediately.
HSC-85’s most up-to-date homecoming, with Sailors in flight fits and dealing uniforms cheering alongside household and associates holding indicators and radiating pleasure, is a testomony to the squadron’s distinctive appreciation for the worth of celebrating a protected return house.
Because the “Firehawks” loosen up and benefit from the holidays at house with their family members, Commander, Naval Air Pressure Reserve (CNAFR) displays on the onerous work, dedication and dedication to mission HSC-85 Sailors have proven throughout their most up-to-date deployment and people over the previous 9 years.
CNAFR mans, trains and equips the Naval Air Pressure Reserve in an effort to present enduring operational help and strategic depth to Navy forces that win in fight.
